Note: Javascript is disabled or is not supported by your browser. For this reason, some items on this page will be unavailable. For more information about this message, please visit this page: About CDC.gov.

Related Links

People Living With HIV

Know the Facts

If you have HIV, the virus that can cause AIDS, smoking is especially dangerous to your health. If you smoke:

You’re more likely to develop the harmful consequences of smoking than people without HIV. These illnesses include cancer, heart disease, and stroke.

You’re more likely to develop HIV-related infections than a nonsmoker with HIV. These illnesses include thrush (a mouth infection) and Pneumocystis pneumonia (a lung infection).

For people whose HIV is effectively treated, smoking is the main contributor to preventable risk of illness and death.

Smoking rates among persons living with HIV are much higher than in the general population. In 2009, smoking rates among people receiving medical care for HIV were more than double that of the entire U.S. adult population (42.4% vs. 20.6%).

People living with HIV are also less likely to quit smoking than the general adult population.

For More Information

Real Stories: People Living With HIV Featured in Tips®

Learn the real stories of people living with HIV who have diseases and disabilities related to smoking.

Meet Brian. Brian, age 45, lives in California and has HIV. At 14, he started smoking. At 43, smoking, combined with HIV, caused him to have a stroke. He quit that day and hopes to regain full use of his right hand.

Quitting Help

You can call 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669). Quitline coaches can answer questions, help you develop a quit plan, and provide support.

Quit-smoking treatments may be free or reduced in price through insurance, health plans, or clinics. State Medicaid programs cover quit-smoking treatments. While the coverage varies by state, all states cover some treatments for at least some Medicaid enrollees.

Medicare currently covers two quit attempts per year and up to four face-to-face counseling sessions per attempt.